Bellevue Tigers play tough against big schools

BELLEVUE – Playing a schedule of mostly bigger schools so far, the Bellevue High School baseball team has managed an unimpressive 6-11 record through April 25.

One of those six wins was certainly impressive, though, as the Tigers knocked off Newport Central Catholic 4-2 on April 21. That was a seeding game in the 36th District Tournament.

“We’re a very little school and things are cyclical for us,” said head coach Rob Sanders. “Right now we have some very good athletes. Beating NewCath was a great win for us. It’s always a great win when you can beat a quality high-level program like NewCath. Our kids played extremely well and up to their abilities.”

In its first 18 games, the Tigers played only two against teams of similar size in Division III of the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference. Bellevue has played four big-school Division I foes and big downstate foes such as Louisville Butler and West Jessamine.

“Baseball is a single-class sport,” Sanders said. “We’re one of the smallest schools in the state that plays baseball and we’re in the same class with Trinity and the biggest schools up here. Avoiding them doesn’t do us any good. We’re only going to get better by playing the best teams we can play against. The tough schedule has really given these guys some confidence. They know they can play. We may not always win the game, but if we’re there and we’re competing, I’m pretty happy.”

The Tigers have a deep group of veteran seniors in Tyler Ackerson, Kevin Apted, Brian Dill, Casey Fitch, Dylan Huff, Zack Poinsett and Hayden Swope. Junior Nate Arnzen has been the top underclassmen of late, hitting over .400 and playing strong defense at second base.

Sanders said the team needs to upgrade its pitching depth but the hitting and defense have been strong all year.

“We have seven seniors. I don’t think I’ve ever said that in my tenure at Bellevue,” Sanders said. “We’re playing really good baseball for the most part. We’ve played a really tough schedule, we’ve played well, the kids have responded. The record doesn’t show it, but I’m pleased with how they’re doing.”